Idioms

CHAPTER - 8

IDIOMS

An idiom (also called an idiomatic expression) is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning conventionally understood by native speakers. It is also practiced by the non-native speakers. The meaning of idiom is different from the literal meaning of the idiom's individual elements/words. In other words, idioms don't mean exactly what the words say.

Example

Born with the silver spoon - belonging to an affluent family and it has nothing to do with the metal silver.

At a stretch - continuously and it has nothing to do with stretching

Rained cats and dogs - rained heavily - it has nothing to do with cats and dogs.

Many idioms have some fascinating or interesting incidents/situations/ mythology/legend/story behind their meanings.

Idiom: Beat about the bush

Meaning: To circle the point; to avoid the point, round about way of saying an information

Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what really happened.

Origin: This common phrase is thought to have originated in response to game hunting in Britain. While hunting birds, participants would beat bushes in order to draw out the birds instead of hunting the birds straightaway. They beat the bush to frighten them. Therefore, they were beating around the bush before getting to the main point of the hunt: actually capturing the birds.

Example

I. The following are some idioms that are given along with their meanings:

1) In the same boat - easy to understand or undergo a same type of situation

2) Too many cooks spoil the broth - if too many people are involved, there may be confusion.

3) Hang in there - encourage somebody in a difficult situation

4) To meet you half-way - ready to compromise with you

5) To meet the trouble half-way - to foresee a problem

6) Put me on my mettle - encouraged me to do my best

7) Make both ends meet - to live within one's own income

8) Received with open arms - a grand welcome

9) Playing fast and loose - saying one thing and doing another

10) Took him to task - rebuked him, scolded him, punished him

11) Will not hold water - does not sound sensible

12) Through thick and thin - under all conditions

13) By hook or by crook - by fair or foul means, doing the by any means

14) To eat your words - to withdraw your word

15) To eat humble pie - to apologise humbly

17) Too many irons in the fire - too engaged

16) Losing ground - becoming less powerful

18) Not worth his salt- quite worthless

19) Set his face against - oppose

20) At a pinch - in case of emergency

21) My hands are full - I am busy

22) Ended in smoke - Came to nothing

23) In good stead - useful word Jon asob

24) Smell a rat - suspect

25) true to their salt - faithful

26) Speaks volumes for - proof

27) In the long run - eventually

28) Get lost - go away

29) For certain - for sure

30) For good - forever